Download Colorectal cancer is highly treatable – if

Colorectal cancer is highly treatable – if
detected early
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among Ontario men and
women.
Yet it is highly treatable—if detected early. March is National Colorectal Cancer
Awareness Month, and local physician Dr. Franz Ferraris answered some frequently
asked questions about the disease.
Who is at risk for colorectal cancer? “Family history is the big risk factor,” says Dr.
Ferraris. “People who eat a diet low in fibre and high in refined foods and who don’t
exercise are also at increased risk, as are people who have bowel problems such as
inflammatory bowel disease.”
What are the symptoms? “Abdominal pain, indigestion, constipation and blood in the
stool are common symptoms,” says Dr. Ferraris. “Changes in bowel habits, such as
constipation followed by bouts of diarrhea are others.”
Who should be screened? “Screening should begin at the age of 50, or much earlier if
you have symptoms or have a first-degree relative who has had the disease,” advises Dr.
Ferraris.
How does the screening work? Fecal Occult Blood Test kits, which test for blood in the
stool, are available free of charge from your health care provider. To use the test, you
collect small samples of your stool on three different days and then have the samples
analyzed. “If there is blood in your stool, you will be referred for further investigation via
a colonoscopy,” explains Dr. Ferraris.
A colonoscopy permits a doctor to look inside your entire large intestine, from the lowest
part, the rectum, all the way up through the colon to the lower end of the small intestine.
“A colonoscopy also provides the ability to biopsy growths in the colon, make a
diagnosis and treat colorectal cancer at an early stage,” he adds.
How can you lower your risk? “A diet high in fibre, fruit and vegetables and low in
meat will help lower your risk, as will regular exercise,” says Dr. Ferraris. “Watch for
any symptoms and get screened. This is not a disease to be shy about. Be forthright about
any symptoms, because this is a very treatable disease if detected early.”